Some people have mentioned the 70-300mm VR and other have refereed to the 70-200mm VR f/2.8. Another option would be the 28-300mm VR that is more expensive than the 70-300mm but less than the 70-200mm. I do have the three lenses and you can get good results with any of them. This is a photo of people hiking a mountain at Acadia National Park (Maine). I used the 28-300mm for the shot.

Some people have mentioned the 70-300mm VR and other have refereed to the 70-200mm VR f/2.8. Another option would be the 28-300mm VR that is more expensive than the 70-300mm but less than the 70-200mm. I do have the three lenses and you can get good results with any of them.